Mr. Ed’s Saratgoa Picks and Best Bets
SARATOGA BEST BETS: The marriage of legendary Belmont Stakes and historic Saratoga Race Course has produced the four-day Belmont Racing Festival at Saratoga. Mr. Ed hasn’t been this excited since his own marriage 53 years ago. But, I have been known to exaggerate — and digress. I’ll save that tale for a rainy day when the OTB is closed. As a frequent visitor to Saratoga each August for more than 40 years, I’m disappointed that I won’t be there this special weekend with my diverse crew of friends, family and fellow degenerates. Nevertheless, I am pleased to be here on VSiN.com to post my BEST BETS for today and Saturday. First post for today’s 12-race card is 12:20 p.m. ET/9:20 a.m. PT with inclement weather possible.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Friday, June 7
Race 6 (3:11 p.m. ET/12:11 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE/CLAIMING for 3YOs at a mile on turf
I like #9 ARMY OFFICER (9-2 morning line) for tip-top trainer Brad Cox. A big-time rider upgrade to globetrotting Frankie Dettori is key to my selection. The expensive colt under a top jockey should love the Spa turf.
SARATOGA BEST BET is $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m. ET/1:55 p.m. PT) — G2 $200K INTERCONTINENTAL STAKES for 4YO fillies & mares, 5 ½-furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes two highly accomplished sprinters: #6 ROSES FOR DEBRA (6-5 morning line) who has banked nearly $600K while winning 8 of 12 races, including most recently the prestigious G3 Giants Causeway at Keeneland. Christophe Clement trains, Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. And #10 LOVE REIGNS (3-1), who has won nearly $300K, while finishing second in the Giants Causeway. Wesley Ward trains, Joel Rosario rides. All love and roses.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 Exacta Box ($20)
Also in Race 9, $.50 Pick 4
R9: 6,10
R10: 2,3,4,6,7
R11: 2,3,10
R12: 3,4,9 ($45)
Race 10 (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT) — G1 $500K JUST A GAME STAKES, for fillies & mares, 1 Mile
Mr. Ed likes all five (count ‘em) entrants from the loaded Chad Brown barn in the above Pick 4, but will concentrate his wagers on #2 BEAUTE CACHEE (6-1 morning line) with Manny Franco in irons; #3 GINA ROMANTICA (3-1), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, and #4 COPPICE with Frankie Dettori.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $5 Exacta Box ($30)
Race 11 (6:05 p.m. ET/3:05 p.m. PT) — G1 $750K NEW YORK STAKES for fillies & mares, 4YOs & up at 1 3/16-mile on turf
I’m betting on #10 WAR LIKE GODDESS (4-1 morning line) for HOF conditioner Bill Mott and go-to rider Junior Alvarado. Seven-year-old mare is tested vs. graded stakes opponents nearly every time she runs, banking more than $2.5 million — and she’s won three of five over Spa weeds.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta boxes with 2,3. ($50)
Race 12 (6:40 p.m. ET/3:40 p.m. PT) — G1 $500K DRAFT KINGS ACORN STAKES for 3YO fillies at 1 ⅛-mile
Mr. Ed loves #9 THORPEDO ANNA (9-5 morning line) to crush the lackluster field of sophomore fillies. Runaway winner of the Kentucky Oaks, trainer Kenny McPeek was tempted to run her against the colts in Belmont Stakes. Instead, he decided to run and take the money against gals.
MR. ED’S BEST BET OF THE DAY: $40 to Win. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $195
